Tap and die sets are the quickest and easiest way that you can perform threading without needing factory equipment which, of course, isn’t available to the average person.
You can use your tap and die set to make nuts, bolts, or repair worn threads and make them brand new again.
In this list, we’ll recommend you some of the best tap and die sets you can get with a variety of budgets and purposes of use in mind.
GearWrench 82812 114-Piece Tap and Die Set
- Ratcheting T handles wind Dies with a 5° swing arc and have a reversing lever to eliminate hand over hand turning
- Twist lock guide system reduces the “walk back” of the die guide and keeps the dies centered while cutting
- Die adapters work on round and hex shaped Dies
- Auto locking feature allow the tap adapters to be removed safely
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Ratchets, sockets, wrenches, and tap and die sets are where GearWrench shines like a brand.
That’s why the GearWrench 82812 with deliberate work put into including an SAE/Metric ratcheting to this tap and die set.
It comes with 114 pieces included. They’re divided into 48 taps and 48 dies that cover important sizes and are made from premium quality carbon tool steel.
The set also includes a large ratcheting T wrench and a medium one.
Furthermore, it has variously-sized adapters (large, medium, and small) that generally make the set more functional.
It also comes with a 4mm hex key, 5 screw extractors, and both a metric and SAE thread gauge.
Its design enables it to fit in tight workspaces while its patented Twist Lock Guide system minimizes the die guide back walk and keeps the dies in the center while you’re cutting threads.
Moreover, it has a 5-degree ratcheting arc with a reversible lever which smoothens the transitions from reverse to forward and spares you the hand-over-hand turning.
It’s compatible with the Pass-Thru Ratchet, Socket System, and the Vortex Socket accessories.
Finally, the GearWrench 82812 comes with a lifetime warranty, which is quite reassuring about its durability. This also makes it a great investment for shop floor machinists and anyone who’s serious about your screw-threading.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Includes 114 pieces for greater threading options | The parts can move from their designated case position |
| 2 high-quality, comfortable T-handles included | Not the best-priced |
| The case is molded to store your pieces or carrying them | |
| The die adapter is compatible with both round-shaped and hex-shaped dies |
The GearWrench 82812 is a great tap and die set that is great for multiple purposes and comes at a reasonable price for the quality. It’s the best tap and die set you can get overall.
Irwin Hanson 26377
- Ideal for rethreading fasteners and fastener holes for auto and machinery repair
- Constructed of high carbon steel for durability
- Puts commonly needed taps, dies, drill bits, and extractors at your fingertips
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The Irwin Hanson 26377 is a great 117-piece machine screw/fractional/metric tap and hex die and drill bit deluxe set that combines many features that easily make it take the second spot on the list.
It handles many situations and different conditions and outperforms most competitors.
If you want to repair damaged and worn-out threads or if you want to make new tools from raw steel, the Irwin Hanson 26377 is the set for you.
It comes with various machine screw plug tap and hex die sizes, drill bits, spiral screw extractors, an adjustable hand tap wrench, a T-handle wrench, a 2-in-1 tap wrench, and pitch gauges.
Moreover, all its components are made of high carbon steel which makes them quite durable.
You can keep all your pieces in place thanks to the plastic blue case without worrying about them moving around, even if when the set is displaced. In this light, the drill bit pouch is given extra value.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| US-made | If you move the case around, you might need a replacement of the taps |
| Complete set that covers different SAE and metric sizes | |
| Great for serious DIY tasks | |
| Works amazingly with wood and stainless steel |
The Irwin Hanson 26377 may not be as durable for everyday machinists like the GearWrench 82812, that’s why it took second place on the list. But generally, it beats many other competitors in terms of durability and diversity.
GearWrench 3887 Tap and Die 75 Piece Set
- Die adapter works on round and hex shaped dies
- Ratcheting T-handles wind dies with a 5° swing arc and have a reversing lever to eliminate hand-over-hand turning
- Twist lock guide system reduces the “walk back” of the die guide and keeps the dies centered while cutting
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The GearWrench 3887 shares some features with the GearWrench 82812, as one would expect, like the durable carbon steel construction, the twist-lock guide system, the auto-locking feature, the reversible lever, and the limited lifetime warranty.
The difference is that although the die covers almost all sizes, it’s missing the small specialty threads. You also may need to make lone purchases if you’re missing specific taps, dies, or adapters.
The GearWrench 3887 is good for casual use as regular use will make the taps dull quite quickly, regardless of how regularly you use oils and lubricants.
A drawback to the GearWrench 3887 is how some slippage might occur with the ratcheting driver if it’s put under high torque or strong direction-reverses. The core parts may also quickly wear out.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexibility thanks to the variety of sizes | A bit pricey in terms of the number of pieces available |
| Has both metric and SAE measurement systems | |
| The T-wrench handle is large and comfortable to thread with | |
| Has a lifetime warranty |
Frankly, it’s not as good as the previous two sets but it will definitely serve a one-time DIYer or an entry-level machinist. If you’re looking for something long-term though, you’re better off spending a couple of extra bucks on a better choice.
Neiko 00916A Titanium Tap And Die Set
- Titanium cutting edges hold sharpness up to 20x longer than steel, making it perfect for any small or large projects
- Effortlessly cut new material or repair damaged threads, saving time purchasing new threads
- Equipped in a heavy duty molded case for easy identification, storage and portability for all on the go jobs
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You can save time purchasing new threads by easily cutting new material or repairing damaged threads using your Neiko 00916A tap and die set.
Its titanium cutting edges make it hold sharpness that is up to 20 times longer than steel. This makes it the perfect tool for a project of any size be it small or large.
The Neiko 00916A is equipped with a heavy-duty molded case so you can identify your components effortlessly, store them safely, and easily carry them around for any job as the set weighs only 13.95 pounds in total.
You can rely on the Neiko 00916A’s durability as it’s made of professional-grade steel.
Moreover, the set includes T-handle tap wrenches, an adjustable die wrench, a T-handle tap wrench, screwdrivers, and a thread pitch gauge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High-quality materials | The storage case isn’t designed well |
| The cutting edges are titanium-tipped | Only SAE measurement |
| Great size selection |
The Neiko 00916A is a great middle-ground in terms of price, durability, quality, and versatility. It’s one of the best value for the money tap and die sets you can get.
ABN 60 Piece Tap And Die Set
- CUT AND RENEW THREADS: A comprehensive set for cutting and renewing external and internal threads to exact standards
- BUILT TO LAST: Constructed from hardened alloy steel for maximum strength and longevity; Can cut materials such as cast iron, steel, aluminum, copper
- EASY STORAGE: Heavy-duty plastic blow-molded carrying case for easy transportation, safe storage, and quick organization
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The ABN tap and die set comes with 60 pieces that allow you to cut and renew external and internal threads to precise standards.
Each of the taps and dies is made from hardened alloy steel to give it maximum strength to easily cut through materials like cast iron, aluminum, copper, and steel.
The heavy-duty plastic blow-molded case conveniently contains all of the 60 pieces that make up the ABN set.
The set includes both coarse and fine threaded and numbered taps and dies from #4 – 40 to #12 – 24.
It has both fractional taps and metric taps so you can choose whatever suits you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Satisfactory performance | The case isn’t very sturdy |
| Good durability for the price | |
| Ease of storage | |
| Low price point |
The ABN 60-piece tap and die set is actually pretty cheap for the quality and durability it has to offer. It’s a great choice if you’re on a rather tight budget.
Efficere 40 Piece Tap And Die Set
- PREMIUM MATERIAL AND DURABILITY: Industrial grade GCr15 bearing steel construction ensures durability and tool longevity
- EXCELLENT CUTTING PERFORMANCE: All cutting teeth are precisely CNC machined and accurately heat treated to Rockwell hardness 60 HRC for best threading performance
- TAPERED TEETH DESIGN: Tapered coarse and fine taps and dies start threading more easily and smoothly, and prevent overthreading
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The Efficere 40-piece tap and die set is made of industrial-grade GCr15 bearing steel construction that makes it durable and long-lived.
All the cutting teeth in the Efficere set are CNC machined and heat-treated with precision to Rockwell hardness 60 HRC to give you the best threading performance.
The set includes tapered coarse and fine taps and dies so you can start your threading with ease and smoothness as well as avoid over-threading.
The Efficere 40-piece set comes with a wide range of the most popular metric taps and dies with both fine and coarse sizes. It also includes all the wrenches and handles you’ll need besides the gauge and the storage case.
Furthermore, the Efficere is pretty versatile as it enables you to create new threads or repair damaged ones. It also works on a variety of metals including carbon steel, aluminum, brass, copper, cast iron, and stainless steel.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Overthreading prevention thanks to the tapered coarse and fine taps and dies | Cheapish construction |
| Very sharp teeth |
For a tap and die set that comes at less than 50 bucks, the Efficere 40-piece tap and die set is a pretty sharp one that helps you cut through various materials with sharpness and precision.
You can’t count that much on its durability though. So if you’re looking for something that will last a long time with you, you should invest your money in a more durable set.
Tekton 7559 Tap and Die Set
- High-quality milled alloy tool steel
- Cut new material or chase lightly damaged threads
- 3- and 4-flute plug taps and dies for hand threading applications
- Tapered coarse and fine taps and dies start easily and prevent overthreading
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The Tekton 7559 is a 39-piece tap and die set.
Its parts are made of steel alloy which makes them durable enough.
It comes with 17 taps and 17 dies with a decent range of coarse and fine sizes that suit hand-threading applications.
It’s a perfect choice if you want to cut new material or chase existing threads that have taken some damage.
According to Tekton, if you use the proper technique and suitable lubricants, you can use your Tekton 7559’s taps and dies to cut a variety of materials including carbon and alloy steel, aluminum, brass, cast iron, and bronze.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very affordable | Taps, dies, and wrenches may not be of the best quality |
| Good selection of taps and dies | Rethreading may take some time |
| Tekton has good customer service |
At Tekton 7559’s price point, you can’t expect too much. And generally, Tekton is known for making tools with better quality in other niches than the tap and die set one. So if you’re not really tight on the budget, you should invest in something of a higher quality.
Performance Tool W4001DB 40-Piece SAE Tap And Die Set
- NC, NF and NPT sizes
- Includes 17 taps and 17 dies
- Also includes Tap wrench, T-handle tap wrench, die stock, screwdriver and screw pitch gauge
- High quality steel for precision cutting and durability
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The Performance Tool W4001DB 40-piece tap and die set is the cheapest recommendation on this list. So it’s perfect if you’re looking to spend the least amount of money on your tap and die set.
It’s very lightweight as it only weighs 2.85 pounds, so you can basically carry it around anywhere. You can even include it in another tap and die set if you’re looking for more diversity.
Even though it’s very cheap, it still includes 40 pieces. This means you’ll get 17 taps and 17 dies which is a pretty handy range of sizes.
However, you can’t expect to get a premium build quality or great construction. This means you can only work with materials like plastic and very thin metals.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very cheap | Quite basic |
| Acceptable range of sizes |
The Performance Tool W4001DB tap and die set is a suitable choice if you’re going to do less than amateur work with it. Just the basics and that’s it.
If you’re looking for any great performance or versatility, then it’s surely not the choice for you.
It’s the perfect purchase for someone who wants to get the cheapest choice that will do the job.
Lang Tools 2581 26-Piece Thread Restorer Tap and Die Set
- Contains 7 SAE coarse dies sizes: 1/4-20, 5/16-18, 3/8-16, 7/16-14, 1/2-13, 9/16-12, 5/8-11
- 6 SAE coarse taps sizes; 1/4-20, 5/16-18, 3/8-16, 7/16-14, 1/2-13, 9/16-12
- 6 SAE fine taps sizes: 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 27, 28 & 32
- Made in the
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Why the Lang Tools 2581 26-piece thread restorer tap and die set takes the last place on the list is because it’s quite different from the other ones listed on here.
Rather than cutting new threads, the Lang Tools 2581 works on repairing old bolts and threaded bolt holes.
This is especially helpful if you work with older or vintage cars as it would help you salvage many vehicle fixtures instead of completely replacing them.
However, if you’re planning on cutting new bolts or holes or adding more threading to something, then the Lang Tools 2581 would be of little use to you.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good value for the money | Doesn’t have a permanent package |
| Serves well with car restorations | |
| An acceptable range of sizes |
The Lang Tools 2581 is the perfect tap and die set for someone who’s more into repairing than replacing things.
Even though it doesn’t have many pieces, they’re still well-selected and helpful. It’s also a very affordable set, so you wouldn’t be breaking the bank.
Tap and Die Sets Buyer’s Guide
Before you buy your tap and die set, you should consider some important aspects to make sure you’re paying money for something reliable and durable.
1. Intention of use
Before you buy your tap and die set, it’s important that you know why you’re buying it. Since tap and die sets have different taps to dies proportions, identifying what you’re going to use it for helps you choose the correct type of set for you.
2. Types of measurement
Most of the tap and die sets come either in metric or SAE measurement. It’s rather rare to find a set that offers both, but if you do find it, this is something that definitely gives it more value.
However, if you don’t need both measurements, go for something that has the one you need so you can save a bit of money as the ones that have both measurements are naturally more expensive.
3. The quality of the case
The pieces themselves can be replaced all the time, but the case is probably there to stay. So you should invest in a good and sturdy case that keeps everything in place. No one wants to open their toolbox to find their tools and pieces crawling everywhere on the floor instead of keeping their place in the case.
4. Sizes
There are so many different measurements for the taps and dies, from the threads per inch to the widths.
When you know what sizes you need for your work, you can work better and ensure that your device is ready once you have it.
5. Accessories and extras
Some brands deliver more than just the tap and die set. They include extra accessories like screwdrivers or drill bits. This, of course, gives the set more value and utility. And most importantly, it gives you more bang for your buck.
6. Warranty
If your tap and die pieces are somehow damaged, it’s almost impossible to repair them. That’s why you should get a tap and die set that comes with at least a satisfactory warranty to replace your parts in case of damage.
This is especially important if you’re going to use your tap and die set a lot, which will wear it out and make you need regular replacements.
Final thoughts
The best tap and die set in terms of quality and performance is hands down the Irwin Hanson 26377.
However, it’s quite pricey. So if you’re looking for something that is of good quality but won’t break the bank, we recommend the GearWrench 3887 Tap and Die 75 Piece Set or the Neiko 00916A TitaniumTap And Die Set.
Finally, if you’re looking for the cheapest choice that you can make do with, you should go for the Performance Tool W4001DB 40-Piece SAE Tap And Die Set or the Tekton 7559 Tap and Die Set.
